The full Sentinel-2 mission comprises twin polar-orbiting satellites in the same orbit, phased at 180° to each other.

The mission will monitor variability in land surface conditions, and its wide swath width and high revisit time (10 days at the equator with one satellite, and 5 days with 2 satellites under cloud-free conditions which results in 2-3 days at mid-latitudes) will support monitoring of changes to vegetation within the growing season.The coverage limits are from between latitudes 56° south and 84° north.